Hypermasculinity

Hypermasculinity refers to an exaggerated adherence to culturally defined male norms, privileging toughness, aggression, stoicism, and dominance. It is not a universal trait but a socially constructed script that can vary across time and place. The term is used in gender studies and psychology to describe patterns of behavior that depart from more flexible models of masculinity.

Common features include emphasis on physical strength, risk-taking, emotional control, sexual conquest, and the devaluation of traits deemed feminine. Hypermasculine norms often promote competition, isolation, and reluctance to seek help, and they can be reinforced in settings such as sports, the military, or certain media representations.

Research links hypermasculinity to higher aggression and violence, including intimate partner violence, and to risky health behaviors such as substance use and unsafe sex. However, scholars note that its expression is shaped by culture, context, and individual differences, and that measurement through scales remains debated.

Critics argue that focusing on hypermasculinity can overlook diverse male experiences and risk pathologizing normal variation. Efforts to promote healthier masculinities aim to separate strength from aggression, encourage emotional communication, and challenge rigid gender roles through education, media literacy, and inclusive policies.